M.C. Mehta vs Union Of India & Ors

The Supreme Court addressed the environmental impact of mining activities near Badkal Lake and Surajkund, emphasizing the need for an Environmental Management Plan (EMP) as per the recommendations of the Haryana Pollution Control Board and NEERI. The Court upheld the Haryana Government's decision to halt mining operations within a 5 km radius of these ecologically sensitive areas, citing concerns over environmental degradation and the necessity for land reclamation and afforestation. The ruling reinforces the principle that environmental protection must take precedence over mining operations in sensitive regions.